Abstract
In this study, 84 pregnant ewes were used and randomly distributed to one of four treatments, as follows: C (control), total mixed ration (TMR) +12% SFH (S12), TMR +20% SFH (S20), and TMR +28% SFH (S28). Treatments had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the daily feed intake (DFI) of the ewes during the late gestation (30 d prepartum) and post-partum period, with the S12 and S20 groups having lower feed intake (35; 60%) than the C and S28 group. The DFI was significantly (p < 0.05) low during late gestation in comparable with other periods. The results revealed that body weight (BW) at late gestation was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the BW at 60-days postpartum and during the mating period. Body condition score (BCS) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher during late gestation in comparison with other periods. There was no significant effect of different levels of SFH on reproductive parameters except S/C, which was significantly higher in the S20 than other groups. Serum glucose level was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the S20 group than the C, S12, and S28 groups during 30 days postpartum. S20 and S28 groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in glucose levels at parturition in comparison with other reproductive periods. At late gestation, a significantly (p < 0.01) higher concentration of blood NEFA was reported for ewes from the C group compared with other groups. Furthermore, significantly lower (p < 0.05) NEFA levels at parturition were found for ewes from the S20 group compared with the S12 group. In conclusion, TMR is not preferable to be used alone in the late gestation period. Sunflower hull can be used as a cheap source of fiber in TMR without adverse effects on health or the reproductive traits of ewes. The increasing level of sunflower hull up to 28% can affect fertility and increase the number of services per conception, probably due to its high content of lignin (phytoestrogen).
Highlights
There has been a decreasing forage supply in recent years due to increasing grassland degradation in many countries throughout the world [1]
Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of digestible proteins, minerals, and vitamins for ruminants. It is a very important ingredient in ruminant nutrition due to its excellent nutritional components, including digestible protein, vitamins, and minerals [3]. It is the main source of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (NDF), which showed greater rumen buffering capacity than corn silage, Timothy hay, and wheat straw
Using other dietary fiber resources, including plant byproducts such as sunflower hulls (SFH), can be a suitable solution to solve the shortage of forages due to their higher availability and cheaper price
Summary
There has been a decreasing forage supply in recent years due to increasing grassland degradation in many countries throughout the world [1]. Alfalfa hay and wheat straw (WS) are widely used as the main ingredients and as fiber sources for ruminants, especially for ewes, in several feed manufacturers throughout the world [2]. Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of digestible proteins, minerals, and vitamins for ruminants. It is a very important ingredient in ruminant nutrition due to its excellent nutritional components, including digestible protein, vitamins, and minerals [3] It is the main source of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (NDF), which showed greater rumen buffering capacity than corn silage, Timothy hay, and wheat straw. Using other dietary fiber resources, including plant byproducts such as sunflower hulls (SFH), can be a suitable solution to solve the shortage of forages due to their higher availability and cheaper price. The total global production of sunflower seeds increased significantly compared with other oilseeds, which reached about 445 million tons; the hulls represent about 13.35 million tons during the year [4]
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